Date of Observation: 12/21/2015
Name: EM
Aspect: North, North East, East, South East, South
Elevation: 10,000 – 11,500
Avalanches: There appeared to be two or three small slides in east bowl. These slides appeared to start as loose sloughs that were able to produce a small amount of lateral propagation. All were r1d1. While snowmobiling back to Y noticed significant natural slide on lookers left side of Ruby. Maybe r3d2.
Weather: Light snow with moderate showers before noon. Very light winds with weak gusting. Some blue sky between noon and 2.
Snowpack: One site that was north facing at 10,900 had a depth of 140 cm. This location was mostly 4F density with fist storm snow above. CT 12,13 60 cm below surface. It appeared this failure occurred on buried SH from 12/11. This area also produced hard results on the lowest facet layer. CT 23,24 77 cm from surface. Tests generally showed Q2 shears. Slope angle at site was 32*
A south facing location at 11,000 showed a depth of 148 cm. The site receives sun during the bulk of the day but is shaded for part of day with trees. Profile showed a complex layering of facets and crusts for bottom 73 cm, 4 different facet crust combos. Above facet crust combos was 75 cm of new snow that has fallen since last Monday. Tests in this location showed no result for new snow old crust interface but showed moderate results CT 17,18 failing just above the lowest crust. Slope angle at site was 29*.
Didn’t experience any collapsing while skinning or skiing.